Book & Author details:

Synopsis:

The plan is simple: get the money and deliver the car. What could possibly go wrong?

What can’t?

Things start to go south when Sam Drake realizes that his brother Johnny is hiding something, a secret about Sam’s troubled childhood that goes beyond his most feverish nightmares…

Then Johnny’s girlfriend, Ash, starts sending Sam the kind of mixed signals that can only lead to big trouble…

As the trio of small time crooks falls deeper into an abyss of betrayal and violence, they will discover that the greatest danger they face is not of this world.

With everything he believes about himself and the world around him shattered, Sam will become the unlikely champion in a battle with true evil, a fight to save a soul that has already been forfeited to darkness.

I wanted to run to the bathroom and hug the bowl, but Ash practically dragged me along. When we stepped outside, the silence of the desert night gave me an unexpected chill. My heartbeat pounded in my ears. Time slowed down as Ash pressed on the broken door. It swung open, revealing the red-splattered room.

Ash and I stepped inside. I did everything I could to not instantly vomit.

The redhead was pinned to the wall by two large knives in her shoulders. Her rib cage and gut were ripped open. All of her insides were gone.

Chunky piles of flesh were strewn throughout the room. I couldn’t tell if the bloody mounds were her organs or something else; everything looked torn and mashed, and I wasn’t exactly interested in picking through the shit and playing Operation.

My attention was drawn to the bleeding walls and the message written within the streaks of red.

To the left: Johnny the Beast

To the right: Ashley the Liar

On the ceiling: Samuel the Key

Above the corpse: Turn around before it’s too late

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY - closes 9th April

5 signed copies of the Special Edition of Victim Souls that contains the short story that inspired the novel.

AUTHOR BIO

Andrew’s a horror fiction writer who is also a massive fan of the genre. He’s been writing short stories and working on his novel for over 5 years. He has several short stories published, as well as some editing credits. He moderates a writing workshop in Phoenix, AZ where he’s been exposed to many different forms of fiction, which have broadened his influences. He aims to write stories that creep out his readers, while offering well-developed, rich characters they can sink their teeth into. He’s also a fan of experimenting with form and structure to create something uniquely my own.

Andrew grew up on Long Island in New York, and has lived in Arizona for the past 7 years. His professional background is in psychology where he’s carved out a nice career for himself. However, writing has always been his passion.

Currently, he’s hard at work, developing additional content to publish. He hopes to find an audience that loves the genre, and is up for a good scare.

Book & Author details:

Synopsis:

Three years ago, Layna Blair listened in horror over a telephone line as her parents were murdered. When the killer said she was next, Layna panicked and made a deadly deal—his secret in exchange for her life. She’s paid the price every day since, becoming a prisoner in plain sight.Marine Sergeant Blaze Johnson offers Layna a way out—her freedom, his rules, no questions asked—and she takes it, despite knowing what her keepers do to people who get too close. She doesn’t know Blaze is fighting his own demons or that beneath his warrior façade is a man on the verge of breaking.Embarking on a wild revenge mission with Blaze and his smooth-talking best friend, Talon, is not what Layna signed on for. But attempting to run when Blaze has made no secret he intends to make her his is a reckless mistake. With the killer closing in, it’s up to Blaze to save them all—and to Layna to realize that she’s risked the one thing she can’t afford to lose.Book one of two / 93,000 wordsHeat level: Steamy; not for under 17, it has open door sex scenes.

5 out of 5 (exceptional)

Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

I was gifted this book in return for an honest review

I fell in love with this story right from the start, it intrigued me and held my attention. The story was well written and the characters were interesting to say the least! There was lots of action, nail biting moments, and moments when you just wanted to scream at Layna for being silly!

I couldn't quite work out Talon's character he was very hot and cold and confused me at times, yet made an interesting addition to the storyline. His character is one I would love to read deeper into.

Love the chemistry between Layna and Blaze/Buck they were sizzling hot!

This read was a 5/5 stars for me. The storyline, characters everything wrapped up nicely together. Cant wait to read the next book!

RAFFLECOPTER - Tour-wide giveaway - ends 9th April

$25 Amazon Gift Card (INTL)

RAFFLECOPTER BLOG GIVEAWAY (INT) - closes 27th April

AUTHOR BIO:

I grew up in Northern California with my head in a book and my feet in the sand. I dreamt of becoming a painter but the heady scent of libraries with their shelves full of books drew me into the world of storytelling. I love the New Adult genre, but any story about a love so desperately wrong and impossibly beautiful makes me swoon.

I now live in Southern Florida and while I don’t get to read as much as I like, I still bury my toes in the sand. If I’m not writing or fighting to contain the banana plantation in my backyard, you can find me spending time with my handsomely tattooed husband, my brilliantly practical son and a mischievous miniature boxer…

But Seriously?

Here are ten things you probably really want to know about me.

I grew up a faculty brat. I can swear like a sailor. I love men in uniform. I hate being told what to do. I can do your taxes (but don’t ask). The Bird Market in Hong Kong freaks me out. My favorite word is desperate…or dirty, or both—I can’t decide. I have a thing for muscle cars. But never reply on me for driving directions, ever. And I have a new book boyfriend every week—don’t tell my husband.

Dragon Wife

by Diana Green

BLURB:

The clan is waking. After centuries of spellbound sleep, dragon-shifters are returning to the mountains. They are few in number, and the outside world has become overrun with humans.

Huroth, the dragon chieftain, recognizes a need for his kind to adapt, by forming alliances and mate-bonds with humans, but his clan is divided. From the first time she meets him, Lady Orwenna is drawn to the magnificent chieftain. The mind link he forms with her is both fascinating and frightening, as is the powerful attraction she feels for him. If only she knew what was in his heart.

Does he want her for the woman she is, or for her magical abilities? When war breaks out between kingdoms and ancient enemies of the dragons resurface, the clan will be tested. In the midst of uncertainty, can Huroth and Orwenna find their way together?

Excerpt:

The gathering grew quiet as sounds of boot heels on stone echoed from the entryway. A man strode in alone, though to call him a man seemed less than sufficient. There was such raw power about him, such majesty in his bearing. No one could mistake his identity. This was the black dragon, shifted to man-like form, just as legend described. Orwenna felt the hairs stand up on the back of her neck.

“I am Huroth, son of Huren,” he announced, his voice rich and deep. He faced the king, down the long silent hall. “I am chieftain of the dragons who dwell in the Drake’s Teeth Mountains. We offer an alliance to the kingdom of Rhelaun. How do you answer?”

“You are most welcome, honored guest.” The King bowed as he spoke then beckoned the chieftain. “Please, come and talk with me, so we can decide how this alliance should be arranged.”

As Huroth advanced towards the throne, he made an impressive picture. He was tall and broad shouldered, wearing dark leather armor and a heavy fur-lined cloak. His hair tumbled in a thick black mane, his eyes the pale blue of glacier ice. They swept over the courtiers, coolly assessing.

When those eyes came to rest on Orwenna, she felt time slow. Everyone else, all her surroundings, faded to nothing.

And who might you be?

She heard the words in her head, as surely as if he’d spoken aloud. Without consciously choosing, she responded in kind.

Orwenna.

His eyes widened in surprise, and he paused mid-step. Apparently, he had not expected her to hear his musing nor be able to answer.

There is an aura of magic about you. He sent the thought, his gaze on her as sharp as a hawk’s.

That’s from my mother. She didn’t know how she spoke directly into his mind. It made her a little dizzy, like too much wine.

Who is your mother?

Sister to the king and the mage, Vardis.

I see.

He considered a moment, before nodding respectfully to her and continuing down the hall. Those nearby gave Orwenna odd looks, and she realized how strange her encounter with Huroth must have seemed. To everyone else, they would have appeared to be simply standing, watching one another without speaking.

How long had it been…one minute…five? She couldn’t guess. All she knew was that it changed her. Reality had shifted and would never be quite the same again. Dragons lived, breathed, and walked upon the land like lords of men. She had spoken mind to mind with one, his fierce eyes locked on hers. It was not an experience she would soon forget.

Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian I Dig Good Books

A fantasy adventure involving long sleeping dragons awakened to new alliances with humans.

Delightfully packed with magic and myths and legends, there is much left unsaid about the reasons the dragons were put to slumber in the first place, but this is book one, so I'm hoping that all comes out at a later date, in a later book.

Orwenna is a strong willed woman, who doesn't want to do what is expected of her, and I loved her. Leaving as she did, to raise the alarm to get the dragons to come to their aid was a very brave thing, and her courage was tested when the true nature of the forest revealed itself.

Huroth and Orwenna's attraction is slow, it builds over time, their coming together is not until Wen had agreed to mate with Huroth and I liked that. There is steam, and passion, yes, but the actual act is late in the book. All too often the attraction is immediate and instant and I loved being made to wait for here!.

There is more to come, as Huroths' son and his bride need a book, I think, and maybe one or two of the dragons who woke up on the wrong side of the bed, the grumpy anti-human ones need to fall in love!

I've not read anything by Diana Green before, but I will certainly look out to. I loved the world building here, and it made for an interesting change to my usual reads.

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Since her childhood, growing up in New Zealand, Diana has been an avid storyteller. For years she enjoyed teaching art and special education, while continuing to write as a hobby. After she developed chronic fatigue syndrome, a career change was necessary, but happily this led her to become a professional author.

Diana’s books are mostly paranormal romance, in the fantasy and science fiction sub-genres. She has been a finalist for the CRW Award of Excellence and the Aspen Gold Published Novel Contest. At present, she lives in beautiful Washington State, where she writes for the Wild Rose Press.

Alex didn’t want to die,
but he just couldn’t take it anymore. Dwight’s pills seemed to promise escape…
and escape is exactly what he gets. He ends up in a world reminiscent of his
childhood Wonderland, but nothing is as it was in Alice’s day. The Outerlands
are a twisted version of his favorite story, with strange characters and
unnatural dangers. Before he can get used to his new home, it’s threatened by
an outside force. Will Alex ever find a place where he feels safe?

Get the book on Amazon and don’t forget to add
the book to your TBR pile on Goodreads!

About Jared R. Lopatin:

Originally from
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jared fell in love with stories at a very young
age. This love led him to major in English and Theatre, a decision that brought
him many adventures, such as performing in Footloose, Cats, and West Side
Story.

His first full novel, Rising Sign, was started backstage
during a production of South Pacific in Indiana. Five years later, his debut
novel was complete and he headed back to school for his Masters in Special
Education. By the time he graduated, he had written the following two books in
the trilogy, Ruling House and Returning Planet. He used his school
experiences as a base for his standalone novel, Let's Play It By Ear. His newest novels, The Outerlands and The Good
Witch are slated for release in 2015.

Jared currently lives in
New York City with his cats, Benedick and Beatrice. He works during the day as
a high school English teacher and theatre director at a Deaf school.

The Griever's Mark

Release Date: 11/11/14

333 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

Astarti’s master controls her through a Leash, a bond of energy anchored deep within her. Despite being one of the few remaining Drifters, able to manipulate the energy world, she cannot break free. She knows her fate: she will serve until she dies, at which point her master will harvest her energy to augment his own.

Oh, yes, she’s done some bad things in her master’s name. She’s not asking for forgiveness. She expects you to hate her.

What she doesn't expect is Logan, a man meant to be her sworn enemy. A man with secrets as dark as her own.

4 out of 5 (very good)

Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

I received this book from YA Bound Book Tours in return for a fair and honest review.

Astarti has had a rough childhood, to put it mild. She has been chained to Belos since she was seven and has done his bidding for him or received punishment for ten years. Her mother cast her off as a baby and tried to kill her, failing, leaving Astarti with the Griver’s Mark. Her father is off enjoying life without her or maybe he is dead, she doesn’t know, and doesn’t care to know. She only knows the evil life of Belos but struggles to do his bidding. Can she break away from Belos, knowing that she is leashed, and make a new life for herself? Being sent to the physical world to convince Martel to join and leash himself to Belos might be the break she is looking for but is she strong enough?

Logan, a Warden and Earthmaker, is after Martel but little does he know that a Drifter, doing the bidding of the unnamed, is after Martel as well. Logan possesses more features than an Earthmaker, his eyes flash from blue, to green, then to brown with a gold edge. Earthmaker’s eyes are blue, so what more is there in Logan? Does he know the truth? Logan befriends Astarti against his families better judgment. Logan and Astarti’s target is the same, but why? Why would a Drifter injure herself trying to save him, an Earthmaker, who despise Drifters? He has much to learn but will his family and community accept her being present, without killing her?

The suspense and action in this book grabbed me from about the third chapter and kept my focus. I couldn’t stop reading and turning the pages to see what was next for Astarti and Logan in their journey. I had to know how Belos would react to Astarti’s betrayal to him and had to know how the Earthmakers would respond to having a Drifter in their presence. Their attraction and the possibility of love is absolutely forbidden, but why? Are these rules justified or is there a past history with strong feelings keeping bigger and more important things from forming? I loved guessing what might be next and being wrong was a joyous moment! There has to be more to Astarti’s family than she knows but will she ever truly learn what that might be? I couldn’t put the book down, grasping at every detail, trying to piece them all together.

My only complaint was that the first few chapters failed to grab my attention. I’m incredibly happy that the book seemed to really pick up pace after about the third chapter or else I would have really missed out on a great book! This is the only reason I bumped my rating down to a four as I would much rather prefer a book grab me from page one. I will definitely be picking up a copy of book two in this series that is due out in April. Go ahead and pick up your copy of The Griver’s Mark today, you won’t be disappointed!

About the Author

I’m Katherine Hurley, author of The Griever’s Mark series. Book 1 will be out in November 2014 and Book 2 in spring of 2015.

My love of myth and legend led me inexorably into fantasy, and I have no intention of leaving. Ever. I grew up riding horses and finally, finally, finally have one of my very own. (I’m hoping Astarti will get some quality horse time at some point, but Drifters don’t really need horses. Hmm.) I’m also an avid (but amateur!) mountain biker and whitewater kayaker.

I was born in New Mexico, grew up in Kansas, got my MFA in Michigan, and now live in West Virginia. The most beautiful place I’ve ever been is New Zealand.

Tanner and I abided by the rules. We stayed on our designated sides of the relationship circle.

Ignoring swarming butterflies.

Brushing off skipped heartbeats.

Settling on lingering stares.

Here’s the secret … a hand extended over that invisible line once, exponentially changing the equation. I was convinced we could make our relationship work until Tanner broke the trust he embedded in me from the age of seven.

One deceit of mega proportions and the relationship we built for that short month vanished. I swore never to speak to him again and it’s worked. Until now—two years later, when my brother’s wedding places me face-to-face with the best man—Tanner McCain.

I question why he even searched me out even though it’s been his MO lately, popping up wherever I am.

He places his arm across my shoulders and pulls me into him, which only brings a ripple of warmth to the pit of my stomach. “Come here.”

My head burrows into his strong chest, and his hand soothingly roams up and down my back. I sink into him. With the comfort of his arm, the tension in my shoulders from placing fifth in my swim meet slowly releases.

Refusing to let him make my mind race with his confusing affection, I sit up. Swiping the tears from my eyes, I honestly confess, “Tanner, it was my last shot.”

He begins to shake his head, but I stop him, “No, I have to realize it. My dream of swimming in the Olympics is over.” I rise to my feet, and the heaviness in my chest sinks back into place now that I’m out of his embrace.

He follows me over to the oak tree. Coming up behind me, his hot breath tickles my neck. My pulse races into overdrive, reminding me of how badly I want him.

Why does he keep leading me on?

He continues to toe the line between friendship and more, but he never actually steps over it. Each time his hand brushes mine or his eyes search me out, my heart stops beating for a moment as I hope this is it—until he crushes the fluttering butterflies and steps away.

I close my eyes from the view of Michigan University’s football stadium because I need to calm my insides. “Why are you here?”

He should be with my twin brother, preparing for their own meet.

“You should be in warm-ups.”

His hands land on my shoulders, and he leans down. At our connection, a tingle spreads through my body.

“I saw you leaving the pool house.” His voice cracks.

I hear his deep intake of breath.

“That’s not what I’m asking, Tanner.”

When I turn around, I almost collapse when I come face-to-face with this gorgeous guy. He’s absolutely one hundred percent the perfect male.

My perfect male.

His brown hair is tucked away in his MU hat that’s flipped backward. His lips and cheeks are rosy from the early spring chill in the air. With only a sweatshirt and track pants on, he’s the epitome of a college student. His good looks remind me of the unbearable yearning that pulls me toward him.

His eyes are so transparent that I can see the torment of his inner turmoil from our situation, meaning nothing has changed for him. He’s as conflicted as ever because I’m his best friend’s sister.

“I don’t know.” His voice is soft, caressed with the sweetness he’s shown me the last few months.

My stomach drops at his words. I want to grab his face with my hands and beg him to admit that the small seed of attraction has grown over the years and we can no longer dodge around it.

Instead, I stand there, with my hands at my sides, silently pining for the day he acknowledges our desire for one another.

“Then, that’s a problem.” My heart thumps as I sidestep him and weave through the sporadic clumps of snow that have yet to melt from the harsh winter.

Michelle moved around the Midwest most of her life, transferring from school to school before settling down in the outskirts of Chicago ten years ago, where she now resides with her husband and two kids. She developed a love of reading at a young age, which helped lay the foundation for her passion to write. With the encouragement of her family, she finally sat down and wrote one of the many stories that have been floating around in her head. When she isn’t reading or writing, she can be found playing with her kids, talking to her mom on the phone, or hanging out with her family and friends. But after chasing around twin preschoolers all day, she always cherishes her relaxation time after putting the kids to bed.